The timing is embarrassing for the Kremlin: On May 9, Russia holds its annual World War Two victory parade on Moscow’s Red Square - a sacred event for many Russians. It was not clear if Prigozhin, who often makes impulsive comments, would go ahead with the withdrawal if his men got extra ammunition. “On May 10, 2023, we are obliged to transfer positions in the settlement of Bakhmut to units of the defense ministry and withdraw the remains of Wagner to logistics camps to lick our wounds.” “Because of the lack of ammunition, our losses are increasing exponentially every day,” Prigozhin’s official withdrawal statement said. Ukrainian troops have been pushed back in recent weeks but have clung on in the city to try to inflict as many losses as possible on their Russian opponents ahead of Kyiv’s planned big push against the invading forces along the 1,000km front line. The battle for Bakhmut, which Russia sees as a stepping stone to other cities in Ukraine’s industrial Donbas region still beyond its control, has been the most brutal of the conflict, costing thousands of lives on both sides in months of grinding trench warfare. Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin makes a statement as he stand next to Wagner fighters in an undisclosed location in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in this still image taken from video released on May 5, 2023.
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